Effects of Low‐Temperature Atmospheric Air Plasmas on the Activity and Function of Human Lymphocytes

Samples of peripheral blood lymphocytes from 20 healthy adult volunteers were treated by using low‐temperature plasmas produced by DBD to investigate their activity and function change as a result of plasma exposure. When the lymphocytes were more than 5 cm away from the electrode center or when the treatment time was shorter than 5 s, their activity and function did not significantly change. When the lymphocytes were less than 5 cm away from the electrode center, and the treatment time was longer than 5 s, the activity and function was significantly reduced. Furthermore, plasma action resulted in the protein, nucleic acid and K+ leakage from lymphocytes, and therefore in the apoptosis of lymphocytes. magnified image